The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Thessalonians — Section 17

Vers. 2-6.-The 'apostle's thanksgiving. L ITB CllABACTEB. 1. I, i, ,hared with his companions. " We give thanks." The three friends prayed and gave thanks together. It is true that the plural number is characteristic of these Epistles to the Thessalonians; the singular is avoided, it seems, from motives of modesty. But here, immediately after the mention of the three names, it is natural to regard the thanksgiving as pro- ceeding from all. It is a true Christian feeling that draws friends together for religious exercises. The faith, the love, of the one kindles, strengthens, the like graces in the other. The tide of prayer and praise from many hearts flows in deeper, fuller volume towards the throne. And we know that where two or three are gathered together in his Name, there is he in the midst of them. 2. It is constant, "We give thanks to God al,ways." Thanksgiving is the joy of the redeemed in heaven; it is the outpouring of the Christian heart upon earth. The nearer we can approach to perpetual thanks- giving, the nearer we draw to heaven. " Sursum corda I"-" Lift up yonr hearts I" is an exhortation which we daily need. May God give us grace to answer daily, hourly, " We lifi them up unt.o the Lord." 8. It is for all. The true shepherd knows his sheep; he loves them all, he prays for all. He does not divide them into parties. The closer his own walk with God, the more he is enabled to keep himself apart from and above party divisions. But the infant Thessalonian Church seems to have enjoyed the blessing of unity. It wa, not, like Corinth, distracted by strife and party feeling. 4. It accumpani.ed prayer. Thanksgiving and prayer ever go together. 'l'he man who prays earnestly must give thanks, for prayer brings him into the sen,;e of God's most gracious presence ; and with that presence cometh joy-joy in the Lord. True prayer must involve intercession, for in answer to prayer the Holy Spirit is given; and the first, the chief of the fruits of the Spirit is love. St. Paul is a remarkable example of perseverance in intercessory prayer. IL ITS GBOUNDs. 1. Hu remembrance of their spiritU,(l,l state. He was working hard at Corinth; in the midst of his labour, with all its new interests, he remembered without ceasing the Christians of Thessalonica. The care of all the Churches wa.s already beginning 1.o preas upon him. He wa.s Wlwearied in his labours, in his supplications, in his constant thoughtfulness for all the Churches which he had foll.llded, for all the converts whom he had brought to Christ. Mark the extent, the comprehensiveness of his love for eouls. 2. His description of that ,tau. The Thessalonian Christians already exhibited the three chief Christian graces. (1) Faith, and that not a de.ad faith, but a faith that was ever working through love. St. Panl remembered their work of faith. Faith is itself a work, the wurk of God. "Thia is the work of God. that ye believe on him whom he bath sent." It is it•clf a .,ork. and it muat work in the 11011l, for it is an active principle. It cannot exist with- OB. r. 1-10.) THE lt'IHS'l' EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. 13